08/09/2026
It’s back to school time! And while it’s exciting and fun, it’s also busy and can be stressful. Here are some tips to set you and your kiddos up for success!
•Consistent Sleep: Aim for age-appropriate nightly rest (10–13 hours for preschoolers, 9–12 for grade schoolers, 8–10 for teens) to protect memory, focus, and mood.
•Protein Breakfasts: A morning protein source—even a quick granola bar or egg—sustains energy, classroom focus, and behavior.
•Screen Limits: Keep daily screen time under two hours and eliminate devices from bedrooms, mealtimes, and the 30 minutes before bed to protect sleep quality.
•Calming Bedtime Routines: Spend up to 30 minutes on quiet, screen-free activities like reading to help the mind transition to rest.
•Balanced Schedules: Avoid overscheduling by reserving at least one full day a week for rest to prevent burnout, anxiety, and academic decline.
•Emotional Readiness: Ease back-to-school anxiety by discussing worries, visiting new classrooms early, and focusing on positive aspects like making friends.
•Medical Checkups: Stay up to date on annual physicals, state-required sports exams, school medication plans, and routine vaccines.
•Hygiene Habits: Prevent classroom illness with proper 20–30 second handwashing, elbow-coughing etiquette, and annual flu shots.
